Thread by @charles_gaba

📣🎉 ACA 2.0: #ACA Enrollment is BACK, BIGTIME! Here's 8 important things to remember to help you #GetCovered!
acasignups.net/21/03/11/aca-2…

1. MILLIONS NOW QUALIFY FOR #ACA TAX CREDITS IN 2021 & 2022 WHO DIDN'T IN 2020...AND THEY COULD SAVE *THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS*!

In addition, most of those *already* receiving subsidies will receive *additional* financial help!

Here's my explainer about how much various households will save on #ACA premiums at different income levels. Low-income enrollees could pay NOTHING in premiums, & for the first time ever, MIDDLE-CLASS folks will be eligible for financial help!
acasignups.net/21/03/11/new-h…

2. DON'T MISS THE *NEW* DEADLINE!

In 45 states, you have until *May 15th* to #GetCovered.

In other states the deadline ranges from March 31st to "the end of the pandemic."

Here's a handy, updated chart with the latest start/end dates for the new #ACA COVID Enrollment Periods in every state. Note that 10 states have restrictions on who's eligible to enroll, usually those who are currently uninsured only:

3. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T ENROLL IN A JUNK PLAN!

Some brokers sell NON-#ACA compliant healthcare plans called things like "short-term", "sharing ministry", "farm bureau" etc. I strongly advise sticking to plans w/full ACA protections sold via authorized ACA exchange sites only.

Here's a table of the *official* #ACA exchange website for all 50 states + DC. Note that there are 3rd-party broker sites authorized to sell ACA-compliant plans as well, but some of those also sell non-compliant plans; stick to sites which *only* sell the real deal:

4. IN SOME STATES YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY A FINANCIAL PENALTY IF YOU *DON'T* #GETCOVERED!

The federal mandate may be gone, but CA, DC, MA, NJ and RI have their own penalty for residents who don't have #ACA-compliant healthcare coverage (unless you qualify for an exemption).

Here's a table summarizing the annual mandate penalty in each of these states for NOT having #ACA-compliant healthcare coverage (unless you qualify for an affordability or other exemption, which many people do):

5. RESIDENTS OF 4 STATES MAY QUALIFY FOR *ADDITIONAL* SUBSIDIES!

If you live in CA, MA, NJ or VT, you may qualify for state financial help *in addition to* federal tax credits. (Note: I have no idea if/how this will be impacted by the newly-expanded federal subsidy policy).

Here's the maximum household income levels which are eligible for ADDITIONAL #ACA subsidies from the state in addition to federal tax credits (not everyone in these income ranges is necessarily eligible).

(Again, the upgraded *federal* subsidies may impact how these work):

6. MILLIONS ACTUALLY QUALIFY FOR *ZERO-PREMIUM* PLANS...EVEN $0 *GOLD* PLANS IN SOME CASES!

The #AmRescuePlan offers $0 premium plans to low-income folks, but even some *middle class* enrollees qualify for FREE plans (it's a long, wonky story):

Here's an analysis by @KFF showing how many uninsured Americans were eligible for a free *Bronze* #ACA policy this year...and this was BEFORE the #AmRescuePlan expanded subsidies... kff.org/private-insura…

..and here's a list of 190 counties nationally (including ALL of Wyoming!) where some people were already eligible for FREE *GOLD* plans...and again, this was BEFORE the #AmRescuePlan was signed by President Biden: acasignups.net/21/02/28/atten…

7. This one is really mostly just good advice for the *regular* Open Enrollment each autumn, but it's worth repeating here: *DON'T* let yourself be "passively" auto-renewed. Always check to make sure a better value isn't available for the upcoming year.

8. I hate to harsh my own buzz by ending this thread on a down note, but I do have to remind everyone that yes, it's still possible that the SCOTUS could strike down the entire #ACA due to a jaw-droppingly stupid lawsuit.

The decision is expected...soon.

acasignups.net/21/02/05/democ…

Anyway, if you find my healthcare policy analysis, advocacy & education useful *and* can afford to do so, please consider supporting it here, thanks!
acasignups.net/donate

⚠️ UPDATE/HUGE IF TRUE! 9. As @xpostfactoid noted this morning, if you're caught in the #MedicaidGap in one of the 12 states which HASN'T expanded the program *and are on unemployment*, you may qualify for full ACA subsidies after all!!
acasignups.net/21/03/12/xpost…

📣 UPDATE: HUGE IF TRUE: 10. I *could* be wrong about this one, but related to #9: It's looks like *anyone* on unemployment in 2021 could be eligible for full ACA subsidies as well...even if they're only on UI for part of the year. (Proceed w/caution on this one!)

📣 UPDATE: CMS just issued this fact sheet/FAQ for the expanded/ enhanced #ACA subsidies for HealthCare.Gov enrollees.

IMPORTANT: This applies to residents of the 36 states hosted by HCgov only; procedure/timing for the other 15 states may vary:
acasignups.net/21/03/12/hcgov…